Mukesh Sharma

Kalimpong, April 04:

Since many years, Kalimpong town has been facing problems with the dumping of garbage. The dumping of garbage into the River Teesta has created many problems for the local people. In this regard, CPRM’s National Highway Zonal Committee member Santosh Pradhan said, “many months ago when the garbage was thrown into Teesta Laba Baari, we talked with Panchayat and Municipality and submitted memorandum to the sub divisional officer. But many years have passed and the problems have not been solved yet. He added that they also submitted the memorandum to the State Pollution Control Board mentioning the serious garbage issue, but there has been no any reply till now.

“Today, the garbage from Kalimpong were being thrown at 21 Mile in National Highway. From Labarbotey to 27th Mile, now the garbage is being thrown in 21 Mile too”, he said. Currently the garbage is being thrown in 21 Mile after the people of Labarbotey and 27th Mile protested.

Pradhan even said due to that the dumping of garbage in 21 Mile; the Birik Dara Constituency is facing the problem now. The foul smell has now spread everywhere.

“The tourist season is approaching and we could see the impact on the people running hotels on the National Highway. We had thought that the Municipality Board would solve this problem soon but till now they have not. On the other hand, we have been regularly requesting to the state government after meeting everyone associated with this but there is no any reply from the government’s side, too”, he complained.

In the meanwhile, the Municipality is working on in solving this problem; gradually the garbage from Kalimpong will be taken to Siliguri Dumping Ground.

“The management of Dumping Ground was the number one agenda of the Municipality but now it has been learned that the Shopping Complex will be built after demolishing Haat Bazaar. The municipality should realize that there is no need for shopping complex here. In favor of the public, the CPRM National Highway Zonal Committee will legally go to the ultimate, the Pollution Control Board”, Pradhan cautioned.

Lastly he said that, any day in the future if the public will be seen coming out on the streets, the Administration and Municipality will be responsible.